6th February 2025 – Riyadh, KSA – The illustrious 2025 RLC Global Forum concluded its trailblazing event in Riyadh, leaving an indelible mark of innovation and insightful discussions among global leaders from the retail realm. From industry partners, policymakers, to leading academics, the forum was a melting pot of groundbreaking ideas centered on the future trajectory of retail, focusing on global best practices and region-specific opportunities.
The second day was a whirlwind of revelations, emphasizing the revolutionary potential of public-private partnerships (PPPs), and spotlighting the evolving role of shopping malls in Saudi Arabia, particularly amidst the expected surge in supply. An intriguing aspect discussed was the underestimated potential of discount grocery retail, with a staggering 70% of regional consumers expressing a preference for value-focused retail models. A kaleidoscope of topics further enriched the agenda, including the burgeoning trend of omnichannel commerce, the promising horizon of travel retail in Saudi Arabia, and the shifting paradigms of luxury retail poised to achieve a prodigious forty-nine billion dollars in regional e-commerce sales by the end of the year.
The forum also delved into the metamorphosis of lifestyle hubs, featuring illuminating sessions from leading entities in the GCC and beyond. The discussions unveiled how complex-use developments, urban retail centers, and synthesized experiences are redefining the architectural landscape of modern cities.
At the forefront of these transformative discussions were Diriyah Company’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kiran Haslam, and Sustainability Senior Director, Julie Alexander. Both played pivotal roles in articulating the immense potential birthed by Diriyah’s dynamic and contemporary master blueprint. Luxury retail took center stage, fostering a myriad of dialogues among industry stalwarts, focused on navigating current consumer expectations against the backdrop of digital upheaval and dynamic market changes.
Eminent figures like Michael Chalhoub, CEO of Chalhoub Group; Michael Ward, Managing Director of Harrods; and Geoffroy van Raemdonck, Former CEO of Neiman Marcus Group, enriched these discussions. They deftly dissected the delicate balance between maintaining heritage and embracing innovation, exploring the evolution towards hyper-personalization. Discussions stressed the imperative for luxury brands to ingeniously integrate cutting-edge digital strategies while safeguarding their traditional exclusivity. As the Middle East establishes itself increasingly as a pivotal luxury nexus, the conversations underscored the region’s growing reverberations across the industry’s future landscape.
Michael Chalhoub aptly summed up the event’s impact, stating, “At Chalhoub Group, the RLC Global Forum is more than an annual event—it’s an indispensable pillar for industry solutions, networking, and collaborative ventures. Through this forum, we’ve reinforced our commitment to propel the trajectory of luxury retail in Saudi Arabia, catalyzing sustainable growth and addressing contemporaneous market challenges and avenues.”
Adding a fresh perspective, the forum featured a session examining the rise in value-led grocery retail, highlighting major players such as the Panda Retail Company and Lulu Retail. The session was further elevated by insights from Oliver Wyman, a global management consultancy, who unveiled a report in partnership with the RLC Global Forum. Titled “The Affordability Imperative: Capitalizing on Value-Led Grocery Retail in the GCC,” the report offered tangible strategies for retailers while addressing the bespoke challenges inherent to the region.
An exciting partnership materialized as RLC Global Forum and WHITE Milano penned a significant MoU. Brenda Bellei, CEO of WHITE Milano, alongside Panos Linardos, Chairman of the RLC Global Forum, spearheaded this collaborative endeavor under the WHITE CIRCLE initiative. This strategic alliance seeks to amplify business prospects across fashion, lifestyle, and retail in pivotal markets.
The RLC Honors VIP Dinner, a stellar highlight, took place on February 4 at the iconic Diriyah, the cradle of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In collaboration with Diriyah Company, the gala soirée ushered in 150 distinguished personas from the retail spectrum to honor visionary leaders shaping industry’s promising future. Esteemed awardees of the 2025 RLC Honors included Fawaz Abdulaziz Al Hokair, Nilesh Ved, Michael Ward, Supaluck Umpujh, and Geoffroy van Raemdonck—all lauded for their unparalleled contributions to retail brilliance.
With its dynamic array of dialogues, exceptional participation, and strategic insights, the 2025 RLC Global Forum solidified its status as a beacon of collaboration and foresight in the industry. The event was a testament to Saudi Arabia’s escalating retail metamorphosis, with broad-reaching impacts on the global stage. Reflecting on the event’s burgeoning success, Panos Linardos, Chairman of RLC Global Forum, expressed, “The RLC Global Forum embodies a powerful arena for synergistic endeavors and actionable insights. Saudi Arabia is at the epicenter of retail evolution, and the insightful collaboration among strategic stakeholders is truly transformative. With the advent of our latest International Retail Council (IRC) initiative, we anticipate these discussions will seed tangible positive impacts in the industry for years to come.”
The focus on luxury retail is a bit over the top if you ask me. Not everyone can afford it, so why is it getting so much attention at the forum?
Because luxury drives innovation, Joe. The trickle-down effect means that what starts in luxury eventually benefits everyone.
I get that, but isn’t it just perpetuating inequality? We should be focusing more on value-led grocery retail.
The forum’s emphasis on public-private partnerships seems promising. It’s a great way to ensure both sectors contribute to sustainable growth in retail.
Public-private collaborations can be tricky, though. Often it’s just a way for private companies to skirt responsibilities and increase profits.
But if structured properly, they can ensure that the private sector aligns with public goals. It just needs the right regulatory framework.
That’s a big ‘if’. Regulatory frameworks are often too weak to keep corporations in check.
Not sure why everyone is so surprised about the potential of discount grocery retail. It’s obvious people love a good bargain!
True, but aren’t we losing something in terms of quality and sustainability when we focus only on cheap products?
There’s a balance to be struck. But at the end of the day, affordability matters to most people.
These lifestyle hubs sound like an exciting development. A new way to engage consumers beyond just shopping.
Yeah, it’s like creating a whole experience that keeps people coming back. Shopping is evolving into more of a social activity.
Exactly, and it shows how important it is to adapt to changing consumer habits.
Is anyone else worried that Saudi Arabia is pushing too hard to become a luxury hub? Seems like they could be setting themselves up for a bubble.
That’s a valid concern, Theo. Luxury is fickle and depends on a stable economy and political climate.
The inclusion of Michael Chalhoub and Geoffroy van Raemdonck shows the forum’s dedication to high-level luxury discussions.
Why aren’t we talking about the environmental impact of retail transformations discussed at the forum?
Good question. Sustainability should be at the heart of innovation discussions, especially with changes this significant.
Oliver Wyman’s report seems to overlook the ecological impact of increasing retail activities. Profits should not trump the planet.
Travel retail is an underutilized segment. Glad it got some focus at the forum; it’s poised for growth with tourism on the rise.
Indeed, but with travel disruptions still possible, it’s a precarious area to bank on.
True, but those who adapt will reap the benefits.
The International Retail Council sounds like it could have a real impact if they get the right partners on board. Looking forward to seeing what they accomplish.
I think the future of malls in Saudi Arabia is being underestimated. They’re still central to shopping culture and can adapt to include more experiential elements.
The official signing with WHITE Milano could be a game changer for local brands looking to enter international markets.
Can’t believe Michael Ward and Harrods are getting so much attention. Isn’t this market already saturated?
The idea of hyper-personalization is intriguing. It feels like an invasion of privacy but could also make shopping more efficient.
No mention of how the forum plans to integrate ethical labor practices into these emerging markets?
I don’t see the point of such extravagant forums when the outcomes rarely lead to anything actionable for small retailers.